State of Alabama and Honda Dedicate and Name Training Center Today

    LINCOLN, Ala., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the State of Alabama and
 Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) held the dedication and naming
 ceremony for the training center located in Lincoln, Alabama.
     The event, hosted by the State of Alabama and HMA, began with greetings
 from Ed Castile, Director of Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT)
 and a warm welcoming from Lew Watson, Mayor of Lincoln.  In his greetings, Ed
 Castile, Director of Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT),
 stated, "Honda has been a great partner with the State and especially
 with AIDT.  Together we are building a highly skilled, capable Alabama
 workforce."
     Jim Hayes, Senior Advisor to Governor Don Siegelman, unveiled the name
 of the training center, Talladega County Industrial Development Center,
 to governmental, economic and community officials.  "The goal in naming
 the center was to tie it to the area and its larger purpose -- growth and
 development through learning," said Jim Hayes.
     Mikio Yoshimi, President and CEO of HMA, thanked the State for providing
 the training center that he called "simple in design, yet extremely
 flexible and functional."  Mr. Yoshimi also shared his vision, saying,
 "Honda hopes the center will be a catalyst that ignites the dreams of
 our associates and others who will use the center in the months and
 years ahead.  Certainly the center will aid Honda Manufacturing of
 Alabama in producing world-class associates who will build world-class
 vehicles and engines," he added.
     Books donated by HMA associates were given to the Talladega County
 Schools' libraries, highlighting the program's theme, A Partnership For
 Learning.  "We are very pleased that Honda associates chose to
 demonstrate their commitment to the community by assisting with our
 educational resource needs.  These books were on our wish list for all
 three of the Lincoln Schools," said Dr. Peggy Connell, Superintendent,
 Talladega County schools.
     The center was opened to the public for tours later in the afternoon.
     The training center has been in use since November 2000.  At 62,500
 square feet, the center is primarily used to train HMA process and
 equipment service associates on a variety of manufacturing processes
 related to building vehicles and engines.
     Honda broke ground on its new manufacturing plant in April of 2000 and
 plans to move into its facility sometime this summer.  Honda will begin
 producing the Odyssey minivan by the end of this year.  HMA began hiring
 hourly production and equipment/service associates in November of last
 year.  At full capacity, HMA will produce 120,000 Odysseys and 120,000
 engines.
 
 

SOURCE  Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC

    LINCOLN, Ala., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the State of Alabama and
 Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) held the dedication and naming
 ceremony for the training center located in Lincoln, Alabama.
     The event, hosted by the State of Alabama and HMA, began with greetings
 from Ed Castile, Director of Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT)
 and a warm welcoming from Lew Watson, Mayor of Lincoln.  In his greetings, Ed
 Castile, Director of Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT),
 stated, "Honda has been a great partner with the State and especially
 with AIDT.  Together we are building a highly skilled, capable Alabama
 workforce."
     Jim Hayes, Senior Advisor to Governor Don Siegelman, unveiled the name
 of the training center, Talladega County Industrial Development Center,
 to governmental, economic and community officials.  "The goal in naming
 the center was to tie it to the area and its larger purpose -- growth and
 development through learning," said Jim Hayes.
     Mikio Yoshimi, President and CEO of HMA, thanked the State for providing
 the training center that he called "simple in design, yet extremely
 flexible and functional."  Mr. Yoshimi also shared his vision, saying,
 "Honda hopes the center will be a catalyst that ignites the dreams of
 our associates and others who will use the center in the months and
 years ahead.  Certainly the center will aid Honda Manufacturing of
 Alabama in producing world-class associates who will build world-class
 vehicles and engines," he added.
     Books donated by HMA associates were given to the Talladega County
 Schools' libraries, highlighting the program's theme, A Partnership For
 Learning.  "We are very pleased that Honda associates chose to
 demonstrate their commitment to the community by assisting with our
 educational resource needs.  These books were on our wish list for all
 three of the Lincoln Schools," said Dr. Peggy Connell, Superintendent,
 Talladega County schools.
     The center was opened to the public for tours later in the afternoon.
     The training center has been in use since November 2000.  At 62,500
 square feet, the center is primarily used to train HMA process and
 equipment service associates on a variety of manufacturing processes
 related to building vehicles and engines.
     Honda broke ground on its new manufacturing plant in April of 2000 and
 plans to move into its facility sometime this summer.  Honda will begin
 producing the Odyssey minivan by the end of this year.  HMA began hiring
 hourly production and equipment/service associates in November of last
 year.  At full capacity, HMA will produce 120,000 Odysseys and 120,000
 engines.
 
 SOURCE  Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC